What Is An Outdoor Pool Screen?

A pool screen, also known as a pool enclosure, is exactly what it sounds like: a large mesh screen that covers your whole pool area. The fact that it’s a mesh screen means that you’ll get all the benefits of an open air pool, including the warm sunshine and a breeze to keep things fresh. It’s typically a free standing structure that needs to be slightly larger than your entire pool area, though they can also attach to your home if your pool is nearby. You’ll want to make sure that the screen goes up high enough so that people can throw pool toys around without being so high that it’s a pain to clear leaves and winter debris off once the snow starts to melt in spring.

The Benefits Of An Outdoor Pool Screen

A screened in pool is a large investment, so it’s one that you should consider carefully before taking the plunge. However, installing a pool enclosure brings many benefits to your pool life:

• Easy spring opening – the Calgary winters can be never ending, and leave behind a trail of leaves, branches and other debris once the snow melts. A pool screen keeps all of this junk off your pool area meaning that you have one less step to do to get your pool ready for the summer months. 
• Protection from bugs – while everyone looks forward to the warmer weather each spring, there seems to be a collective memory lapse about the bugs that come out at dusk. The mesh on a screened in pool keeps the bugs at bay, meaning that you can enjoy your pool well into the evening (if you haven’t experienced the joy of a warm pool on a summer night, you haven’t lived yet!)
• Keep the toys at bay – finally, any pool owner will tell you that one of their pet peeves is losing pool toys all over the yard from overzealous play. A pool screen provides a natural barrier from any over throws and allows you to protect the rest of your lawn and garden from chlorine drips and wayward pool toys. Now you don’t have to spend your summer yelling at people to throw toys gently, or picking up the mess before you mow.

5 Steps To Building Your Dream Deck

Like with all good outdoor home improvement projects, the success of your deck project requires planning and organization before you even put a spade in the ground. These steps are needed to build the deck of your dreams:

1. Create a full plan – a successful deck starts with a comprehensive plan. Start by looking at the different dimensions of our backyard area and home to see what fits your space and planned activities the best. You can then mark out where the deck will sit in real life and make any adjustments necessary to get it in exactly the right location. 
2. Dig the foundations – once your Calgary DIY deck kit has arrived, you’ll need to dig the grass and soil down by at least 30 cm and make sure the base is flat. In some cases, digging below the frost line is needed, see your local guidelines or consult a professional deck building company to confirm the depth in your area. For ground level installations, gravel is a great material to give a solid base that can be made flat easily. Once you’ve prepared the ground, install the footings, making sure that your joists won’t touch the ground. 
3. Lay the joists – the joists are the backbone of your deck, so it’s essential that you lay them at the right distance from each other (a standard of 16” on centre is usually recommended) and that they are completely flat from beginning to end. A laser level is a great tool to have here especially if you’re installing a large DIY deck yourself. 
4. Prep and lay the decking – now comes the fun part. Your DIY deck kit will likely be faced with wood plank deck boards, it should be relatively easy to get everything screwed down in a short period of time. Remember to leave a space between boards to not trap water and decrease the life of the wood. Take the time to lay everything out ahead of time to get the right pattern and to make sure you have enough decking to cover your project. 
5. Pick the right stain – once everything’s in place, you need to think about long term protection for your dream deck. You need to think about finding the balance between the right colour to match your house and other outdoor structures, and enough weatherproofing protection to withstand the variable Calgary seasons. Be sure to leave your deck to cure once you’ve applied the stain so that you can enjoy your new dream deck to its fullest.

Why Choose A DIY Deck Kit

When you’re planning out your deck, you can choose to get professionals to come and run the whole project from design to finishing touches. However, it’s easy to see that putting together your own deck isn’t as hard as it sounds, and with a couple of helping hands, it’s the kind of thing that you can knock out over a long weekend. All you need is a DIY deck kit and some common carpentry skills. A DIY deck kit allows you to build your dream deck as you can completely customize every part of the deck, from the size and layout to the materials that you use. The team of deck experts at Desert Sun Patios can work with you to help you measure out your deck and compile a DIY deck kit that will give you everything you need to create your perfect deck. 

Putting Your Dream Deck To Good Use

Once you’ve built your customized DIY deck, it’s time to put it to good use. Here are some popular ways to use your new outdoor space:

• Outdoor dining – the most common way to get the most use out of your DIY deck area is to make it into an outdoor dining area. You can go more formal with a full table and chairs set up (of course making sure that you have enough room for all your family around the table) or more relaxed with a set of folding chairs and table so you can use the deck for other things when you’re not dining. In either case, you’ll want to think about a patio umbrella or a patio cover to keep things shaded while you’re enjoying your al fresco meals. 
• Party central – if summer means party time for you and your family, you’ll find that your deck is the perfect place to host gatherings. You’ll want a variety of outdoor seating, including individual chairs and some longer couches for sharing. Whether you choose a more classic wicker design or something more modern made from metal is up to your own aesthetic. Just make sure you have some small tables for drinks and snacks to keep the fun rolling all summer long.
• Garden command centre – finally, your new DIY deck kit will be a perfect place to run your garden during the summer months. If you need a handy place to store your tools, wrap up your hoses and keep your potted plants safe from younger children, your deck is the place for all of these things. Buy a range of storage shelving that can hold different size objects, and attach a row of hooks to your external wall to hang your tools for easy access during the warm gardening weather. 

At Desert Sun Patios, we believe it’s all about a happy medium. Below, we outline which projects to DIY and which ones it’s worth calling the pros in for. Let’s get into it.

Start by DIYing the Small Fixes

Did you know that 47% of homeowners opt to DIY their home projects? Yep, DIYing repairs, fixes, and minor maintenance upkeeps aren’t quite as complicated as you may think. Below, we outline some of the more straightforward DIY projects every homeowner should have in their toolkit.

Testing Monitors and Smoke Detectors

Testing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are an absolute must. Monitors need to be in excellent working order for safety and health concerns and thus require regular testing. Luckily, it’s an easy DIY fix as all you need is a ladder (and maybe some batteries). Simply access your detectors, and press the test button. Any loud sound means it’s time to change the batteries. Do this monthly, and you’re good to go!

Fixing Toilets

Modern toilets are engineered to withstand a lot of pressure and rarely need to be fixed by a technician or professional. Most toilet problems stem from a broken handle, old fill valve, or broken flapper. Purchase these parts at any hardware store, and open your tank. You’ll need to shut off the water supply and empty the tank before getting to work. However, leaks are a little more complicated – so you may want to bring in a professional for that one.

Patching Holes

Nail holes and cracks in the wall can make your paint job look old and outdated. Combat this with a spackle knife to spread lightweight putty into the holes. Scrape the excess off, wait for it to dry, and then sandpaper the spot. You could also prime and paint the patched hole if you want to go the extra mile. Of course, having the right tools is essential for DIY projects, so some basics you should invest in are a tape measure, hammer, drill, and screwdriver. Check out this handy list by Craftsman Protocols for more critical DIY tools!

When to Call the Pros In

It’s almost always better to call the pros in for larger projects that require complex skills and technical know-how. Below are some important home projects you should invest in. 

Patio, Deck, and Sunroom Installations

This one is apparent, but the breadth of these projects is likely beyond the skills of the average homeowner. Hiring professionals like those at Desert Sun Patios will offer you a greater return on investment because your sunroom or deck installation will stand the test of time and withstand weather and other wear and tear.

Removing Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings are ugly and outdated- but they may be bringing your home’s appraisal value down as well, Homelight writes. But removing these ceilings yourself can be messy and complicated. The ceiling needs to be softened with an agent and scraped off – which can create holes and divots that will need to be repaired, dried, and sanded. Remember – all this work is overhead and vertical, which adds a whole different level of complexity. Definitely hire a pro for this one.

Basement Renovations

Basement remodelling projects have many different moving parts which can be challenging to coordinate and set up. There will likely need to be room demolition, framing, electrical work, insulation, and plumbing. Hiring qualified professionals will take the headache out of the process, keep you within budget and increase the quality of your entire project. 

Ultimately, whether you DIY or hire a professional – it all comes down to priorities. There will be tradeoffs to make in terms of time, money, and budget, so go with the option that best appeals to the maintenance project at hand. You’ve got this!

If you’ve been looking for the perfect way to bring the outdoors in this year, opt for a sunroom. At Desert Sun Patios, we’re all about creating a warm, peaceful oasis in your home that is both welcoming and bright. Click here to get a free estimate for your space, or reach out for more information today!